WawonaNews.com - June 2017

Recent Mountain Lion Sightings in Wawona

A mountain lion was seen last night across from the Wawona School at 8:45pm, and one on River St. at 6:45am today.

Any mountain lion sightings need to be reported to us. We need to know :

Where?What day/time?What lion was doing?

Please pass this info. along to friends and neighbors in Wawona, especially if they have small children and dogs.​Eric ScottWawona District RangerYosemite National ParkOffice: (209) 375-9520Cell: (209) 216-9656

​ Soupbowl Prescribed Fire, June 11, 2017

Yosemite National Park fire managers are planning a prescribed fire starting the evening of June 11th, weather conditions permitting, in the Unit 26 Soupbowl B project area along Wawona Road (State Highway 41 extension) south of Wawona, potentially burning 2-3 segments ranging from 103 acres to 174 acres. The amount of acres to be treated will be based on air quality on the day of planned ignition.The primary objective of the project is to reduce hazardous vegetation (fuel) around the Wildland Urban Interface community of Wawona. This project will also help protect park infrastructure at the South Entrance station and reduce the threat of wildfires originating along Wawona Road that could adversely impact the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. This fuels treatment would help create a continuous fuel break between the community of Wawona and the south entrance of the park linking other burn areas, mechanical thinning projects, and previous prescribed fires. Another objective of the Soupbowl prescribed fire is ecosystem restoration. Over 100 years ago, aggressive fire suppression policies resulted in fire exclusion across conifer forests throughout the Sierra Nevada Range. Applying fire under prescribed conditions mimics the frequent, low intensity lightning caused fires that occurred in the Sierras prior to the exclusion of fire. Historically, natural fires burned an average of 16,000 acres annually in Yosemite and played an integral role in shaping Yosemite’s ecosystems. In the absence of frequent fire, unnatural levels of forest fuel have accumulated which has put many of Yosemite’s natural and cultural values at risk. As climate and forest dynamics change, these values become increasingly vulnerable to catastrophic wildfire.Park employees, community members, and visitors can expect to see crews from various federal and state agencies working along the Wawona Road doing prescribed fire preparation and burn operations. Traffic control will be in place during burn operations and delays should be short. Traffic will escorted by pilot car. Please use caution and follow signs when entering and exiting for firefighter safety.Smoke will be present during the prescribed fire and in the Wawona area. Fire managers are working with the Mariposa County Air Pollution District (MCAPCD) to time the project to coincide with favorable weather that will facilitate good air quality, and disperse smoke into the atmosphere away from the community. Prior to ignition, smoke monitoring equipment will be installed in the community and a burn permit will be issued to the park by MCAPCD. Community members who are sensitive to smoke may want to close their windows and doors and/or consider leaving the area during active ignition of the project in order to reduce their exposure.

​​Wawona Road Delays Near South Entrance

6-6-17 Update: Crews are continuing the Rehabilitation of the Wawona Road. This work will continue over the next 4 months. At this time there is no weekend or night time work scheduled. The current work zone along Wawona Road is 1 mile south and 1/2 mile north of the South Entrance intersection. The current traffic delays are as follows:

​ Spring Prescribed Fire Projects - June 6, 2017

Soupbowl Prescribed Fire

Yosemite National Park fire managers are planning a prescribed fire for the week of June 12th, weather conditions permitting, in the Unit 26 Soupbowl B project area along Highway 41 south of Wawona potentially burning 2-3 segments ranging from 103 acres to 174 acres. The amount of acres to be considered is based on air quality the day of planned ignition.

The primary objective of the project is to reduce hazardous vegetation (fuel) around the Wildland Urban Interface community of Wawona. This project will also help protect park infrastructure at the South Entrance station and reduce the threat of wildfires originating along Highway 41 that could adversely impact the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias. It would help create a continuous fuel break between the community of Wawona and the south entrance of the park linking other recent wildfire areas with reduced fuels, mechanical thinning projects, and previous prescribed fires.

Park employees, community members, and visitors can expect to see crews from various federal and state agencies working along the Highway 41 corridor doing prescribed fire preparation and burn operations. Traffic control will be in place during burn operations and delays should be short. Please use caution when entering and exiting for firefighter safety.

Mariposa Grove Prescribed Fire

The Mariposa Grove is still closed for restoration which provides fire managers the opportunity to build off the burns completed in fall 2016 to enhance the protection and future growth of the Giant Sequoias. 1-3 segments of the grove ranging from 40 up to 140 acres are under consideration for additional prescribed fire, weather and air quality permitting.

Historically, natural fires burned an average of 16,000 acres annually in Yosemite and played an integral role in shaping Yosemite’s ecosystems. In the absence of frequent fire, unnatural levels of forest fuel have accumulated which has put many of Yosemite’s natural and cultural values at risk of severe wildfire.

As climate and forest dynamics change, these values become increasingly vulnerable to catastrophic wildfire. Smoke will be present during prescribed fire and in the Wawona area. Fire managers are working with the Mariposa County Air Pollution Control District (MCAPD) to time the projects to coincide with favorable weather and smoke dispersion conditions. Smoke, affecting health, is always a consideration in the decision to schedule prescribed fires. A smoke management plan has been submitted to the MCAPCD, and a burn permit has been issued for both burn units. A smoke monitor will be placed in nearby communities to monitor smoke.

Soupbowl Prescribed Fire - June 6, 2017

click to enlarge

Yosemite National Park fire managers are planning a prescribed fire for the week of June 12th, weather conditions permitting, in the Unit 26 Soupbowl B project area along Highway 41 south of Wawona potentially burning 2-3 segments ranging from 103 acres to 174 acres. The amount of acres to be considered is based on air quality the day of planned ignition.

The primary objective of the project is to reduce hazardous vegetation (fuel) around the Wildland Urban Interface community of Wawona. This project will also help protect park infrastructure at the South Entrance station and reduce the threat of wildfires originating along Highway 41 that could adversely impact the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. It would help create a continuous fuel break between the community of Wawona and the south entrance of the park linking other burn areas, mechanical thinning projects, and previous prescribed fires.

Another objective of the Soupbowl prescribed fire is ecosystem restoration. Over 100 years ago, aggressive fire suppression policies resulted in fire exclusion across conifer forests throughout the Sierra Nevada Range. Applying fire under prescribed conditions mimics the frequent, low intensity lightning caused fires that occurred in the Sierras prior to the exclusion of fire. Historically, natural fires burned an average of 16,000 acres annually in Yosemite and played an integral role in shaping Yosemite’s ecosystems. In the absence of frequent fire, unnatural levels of forest fuel have accumulated which has put many of Yosemite’s natural and cultural values at risk. As climate and forest dynamics change, these values become increasingly vulnerable to catastrophic wildfire.

Park employees, community members, and visitors can expect to see crews from various federal and state agencies working along the Highway 41 corridor doing prescribed fire preparation and burn operations. Traffic control will be in place during burn operations and delays should be short. Please use caution when entering and exiting for firefighter safety.

Smoke will be present during the prescribed fire and in the Wawona area. Fire managers are working with the Mariposa County Air Pollution District (MCAPCD) to time the project to coincide with favorable weather that will facilitate good air quality, and disperse smoke into the atmosphere away from the community. Prior to ignition, smoke monitoring equipment will be installed in the community and a burn permit will be issued to the park by MCAPCD. Community members who are sensitive to smoke may want to close their windows and doors and/or consider leaving the area during active ignition of the project in order to reduce their exposure.

Defensible Space

Yosemite National Park Fire Management Staff will begin conducting defensible space inspections in compliance with California Public Resource Code 4291. These inspections will occur in the communities within the park as well as the El Portal Administrative Site. It is recommended that all areas be in compliance by June 10. Inspections will begin shortly thereafter. By providing defensible space, you are assisting local firefighters in the protection of your property, public, and fire fighter safety should a wildfire become established in your area.​ Additional information and the latest updates in wildfire preparedness can be found at: www.readyforwildfire.org. For more information contact the Yosemite National Park's Fire Marshall's Officeat Yose_Fire_Prevention@NPS.gov orYose_Fire_Info@NPS.gov​

NOTE: The Board will be asked to approve all of the following items by a single vote, unless any member of the Board or of the public asks that an item be removed from the consent agenda and considered and discussed separately.

Approval of agenda

Approval of minutes of the regular meeting, April 4, 2017

Financial reports

Monthly approval of warrants (Action needed)

Financial Report

Payroll Report

HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD

The public may address the Board on any matter pertaining to the school that is not on the agenda. There will be no Board discussion and no action will be taken unless listed on a subsequent agenda. ACTION ITEMS

Approve $3900 each for clear credential program costs for Esme & Jess for 1-year clear credential program required by state of California

NOTE: The Board will consider and may act upon any of the following items in closed session. Any action taken will be reported publicly at the end of the closed session as required by law.

Employee Negotiations (Gov. Code 54957.6)

Personnel (Gov. Code 54957)

RECOVENE IN OPEN SESSION: ANNOUNCE CLOSED SESSION ACTIONS

ADJOURNMENT

​ Yosemite's Historic Wawona

​​Wawona Hotel books can’t be sold in the park because of the trademark issue, but they are available at the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. The book normally sells for $8.95+tax, but it will be available at the June 3rd WAPOA meeting for $7.00 including tax. People can either pay cash for them, or they can write a check to "Sugar Pine Railroad.” After June 3rd, the books will be available at the railroad.

​ An Evening in Wawona with John Muir

An Evening in Wawona with John Muir Tuesday May 30th, 2017

We are excited to announce that Lee Stetson will be joining the Wawona students for a John Muir presentation on the Wawona soccer field @ 6:30pm on Tuesday, May 30th!

Wawona community members are invited to attend the festivities!Please arrive early to get settled before the performance begins. :)

Please Note:Mr. Stetson's videographer may be accompanying him to shoot some of the Wawona presentation. Anyone attending the event is consenting to be photographed, etc.​

​ BEARS ARE ACTIVE IN WAWONA HOUSING

At least one bear is actively seeking human food from residences in Wawona. On 4/27/2017 a bear obtained food from a garage and an outside freezer in Wawona. Bears were reported on residential porches on 4/23/17 and 4/25/17. Every year bears roam through housing, taking advantage of human food sources found in neighborhoods. Although it is fun to get to see a bear - bears that get food rewards in residential areas can change to behaviors which will lead to serious and potentially dangerous problems for both people and bears.

REMOVE ALL ATTRACTANTS FROM YOUR VEHICLE – An attractant is anything with calories or a potential scent. This includes food, drinks, trash, recycling, chap stick, gum.

SECURE YOUR HOME WHEN YOU ARE NOT IN IT – When you are at work or on vacation, make sure all windows and doors are closed and securely latched.

WHEN YOU ARE NOT IN A ROOM, CLOSE THE WINDOWS – A bear can enter a kitchen and obtain food faster than you can crawl out of bed to chase it away.

CLIP DUMPSTERS – Put all food trash in animal–resistant dumpsters and clip the dumpster so bears cannot get inside. Only non-food items should be placed in open top dumpsters. Make sure your children know which dumpster to use for food trash.

PICK FRUIT FROM YOUR TREES – Bears are attracted to the fruit trees in Residential areas. Avoid inviting bears to spend time in neighborhoods by removing fruit before a bear does and pick up any fallen fruit.

SCARE BEARS AWAY FROM DEVELOPED AREAS – Yell loudly to scare it away

REPORT BEAR SIGHTINGS AND INCIDENTS – We can’t help with bears we don’t hear about. Knowing about incidents and sightings helps us to determine where the problems are and how we can work to fix them. CALL THE BEAR HOTLINE (209)372-0322, or contact a ranger to make a report at (209)379-1992.